The Rangers play their 22nd game of the 2018-19 season and conclude a three-game homestand Wenesday, Nov. 21, against the New York Islanders in a Metropolitan Division matchup at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG 2, Radio: ESPN 1050 AM). The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in nine of the last 10 games (8-1-1 record) and lead the NHL in wins (eight) and points (17) since Oct. 30. The Rangers have earned at least one point in 12 of the last 16 games (10-4-2 record) and in 13 of the last 18 games (11-5-2 record). Including Wednesday's contest, three of the Rangers' next four games are at MSG.

Wednesday's game is the start of a stretch in which the Rangers play three games in four days, and all three games are against Metropolitan Division opponents. Wenesday's contest is also the Rangers' first home game against a Metropolitan Division opponent this season. In addition, 14 of the Blueshirts' final 30 home games in 2018-19 are against teams in the Metropolitan Division.

RANGERS VS. ISLANDERS

All-Time: 125-114-19-9 (71-45-11-6 at home; 54-69-8-3 on the road)

2018-19: Wednesday's game is the second of four meetings between the Rangers and Islanders, and the first of two meetings between the two teams at MSG. The Rangers have posted a 0-1-0 record (0-0-0 at home; 0-1-0 on the road), following the Islanders' 7-5 win on Nov. 15 at Barclays Center. Chris Kreider tallied two goals and Neal Pionk recorded two assists in the contest. The Rangers registered 41 shots on goal and were 2-for-4 (50.0%) on the power play in the game. Following Wednesday's game, the Rangers and Islanders will face each other on the following dates: Jan. 10 (at MSG), Jan. 12 (at Brooklyn).

Twelve of the last 15 meetings between the Rangers and Islanders have been decided by two or fewer goals, and six of the 15 contests have been decided by one goal. In addition, three of the last six games between the Rangers and Islanders have been decided by one goal.

The Blueshirts have tallied a power play goal in seven of their last 11 games against the Islanders and have recorded four power play goals over the last four games (4-for-14; 28.6%).

The Rangers have recorded 35 or more shots on goal in 10 of their last 12 games against the Islanders, including each of the last six meetings between the two teams.

Brian Leetch is the Rangers' all-time leader in games played (82), goals (23), assists (49), and points (72) against the Islanders. Henrik Lundqvist is the Blueshirts' all-time leader in appearances (60), wins (30), and shutouts (five) against the Islanders. Lundqvist ranks second among NHL goaltenders in career wins against the Islanders (Martin Brodeur - 52), and he is tied for second among NHL goaltenders in career appearances against the Islanders (Brodeur - 91; John Vanbiesbrouck - 60).

RANGERS-ISLANDERS CONNECTIONS

Ryan Strome played parts of four seasons with the Islanders (2013-14 - 2016-17) and was selected by the Islanders in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Islanders Assistant Coach Scott Gomez played two seasons with the Rangers (2007-08 and 2008-09).

Islanders Assistant Coach Lane Lambert played 18 games with the Rangers during the 1986-87 season.

One of Henrik Lundqvist's goaltending coaches in Sweden when he was a teenager was Michael Lehner, the father of Robin Lehner. Robin Lehner also attended a goaltending camp run by Lundqvist in Sweden when he was growing up. Lundqvist and Robin Lehner were the two starting goaltenders during the 2018 NHL Winter Classic between the Rangers and Sabres.

Barry Trotz and Lindy Ruff rank fifth and sixth, respectively, on the NHL's all-time wins list among head coaches.

Adam McQuaid and Johnny Boychuk were teammates in the Bruins organization for six seasons (2008-09 - 2013-14), including parts of five seasons with Boston (2009-10 - 2013-14), and helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2010-11.

Vladislav Namestnikov and Valtteri Filppula were teammates with the Lightning for parts of four seasons (2013-14 - 2016-17) and helped Tampa Bay advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014-15.

Cody McLeod and Johnny Boychuk were teammates in the Avalanche organization for three seasons (2005-06 - 2007-08). David Oliver was General Manager of the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) when McLeod and Boychuk were teammates in 2007-08.

Brendan Smith and Valtteri Filppula were teammates with the Red Wings for parts of two seasons (2011-12 and 2012-13).

Steven Fogarty and Anders Lee were teammates at Edina High School in Minnesota for one season (2008-09). In addition, Fogarty and Lee were also teammates at the University of Notre Dame for one season (2012-13).

Chris Kreider, Neal Pionk, and Anders Lee helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.

Jimmy Vesey, Anders Lee, and Brock Nelson all helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.

Chris Kreider, Nick Leddy, and Brock Nelson all helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Kevin Hayes, Brady Skjei, Anders Lee, and Brock Nelson all represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship. Skjei and Nelson also represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, and one of their Assistant Coaches in the tournament was David Quinn.

Kevin Hayes and Brock Nelson represented the United States at the 2014 IIHF World Championship.

Marc Staal and Jordan Eberle represented Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship.

Barry Trotz was Kevin Shattenkirk's Head Coach with the Capitals for part of one season (2016-17). Lane Lambert was also one of Shattenkirk's Assistant Coaches with Washington.

Rangers radio play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert and Barry Trotz were roommates for two seasons (1991-92 and 1992-93) with the Baltimore Skipjacks of the American Hockey League (AHL) when Trotz was the team's Head Coach and Albert was the team's radio announcer.

David Oliver and Islanders Assistant Coach Lane Lambert were teammates with the Houston Aeros of the International Hockey League (IHL) for parts of two seasons (1998-99 and 1999-00) and helped the Aeros win the Turner Cup as IHL Champions in 1998-99.

Brady Skjei was coached by Islanders Assistant Coach John Gruden with the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2011-12 and with the United States' gold medal-winning team at the 2012 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Kevin Shattenkirk, Brendan Smith, and Thomas Hickey were all selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Kevin Hayes and Brock Nelson were both selected in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Vladislav Namestnikov's father, Jevgeni Namestnikov, played six games with the Islanders during the 1997-98 season.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. ISLANDERS

Henrik Lundqvist - 60 GP, 30-20-7, 2.38 GAA, .916 SV%, 5 SO - Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 35 of 60 career appearances against the Islanders. He has appeared in more games and has registered more wins and shutouts against the Islanders in his career than any other goaltender in Rangers history.

Kevin Shattenkirk - 12 GP, 3-10-13 - Shattenkirk has tallied a point in eight of his last 10 games against the Islanders (three goals, nine assists) and has posted three multi-point games over the span.

Mats Zuccarello - 29 GP, 3-11-14 - Zuccarello has recorded a point in five of the last seven games against the Islanders (two goals, three assists over the span) and has registered six points (three goals, three assists) in nine games against the Islanders since the start of the 2016-17 season.

Mika Zibanejad - 20 GP, 4-8-12 - Zibanejad has registered a point in nine of his last 14 contests against the Islanders, recording 10 points (two goals, eight assists) over the span.

Marc Staal - 50 GP, 5-15-20 - Staal has tallied more goals, assists, and points against the Islanders than against any other opponent in his NHL career. He has registered a point in six of his last 13 games against the Islanders (two goals, four assists).

Chris Kreider - 22 GP, 6-9-15 - Kreider has recorded eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last 13 games against the Islanders, including five points (three goals, two assists) in his last seven contests against the Islanders.

Kevin Hayes - 18 GP, 5-3-8 - Hayes has registered a goal/point in four of the last five games against the Islanders (four goals), including each of the last two games, and has tallied eight points (five goals, three assists) in the last 14 games against the Islanders.

Vladislav Namestnikov - 12 GP, 3-4-7 - Namestnikov has recorded a point in seven of 12 career games against the Islanders, including six of his last nine games against the Islanders (three goals, three assists in the last nine contests).

Brady Skjei - 10 GP, 0-4-4 - Skjei has notched three assists/points in the last seven games against the Islanders.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Several Rangers players have connections with fellow members of the Blueshirts and/or members of the team's coaching staff in addition to being teammates with the Rangers:

Fredrik Claesson and Mika Zibanejad were teammates with several teams prior to joining the Rangers:

The two were teammates in Sweden with Djurgardens' U18 team, U20 team in SuperElit, and professional team in the SHL over the course of three seasons (2009-10 - 2011-12).

Zibanejad and Claesson helped Sweden earn a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Claesson and Zibanejad were both selected by the Ottawa Senators in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and were teammates in the Senators' organization (either with Ottawa or with Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Binghamton Senators) for parts of three seasons (2012-13 - 2013-14; 2015-16).

Fredrik Claesson and Jesper Fast represented Sweden in several tournaments over the course of three seasons (2009-10 - 2011-12).

Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider were teammates at Boston College for two seasons (2010-11 and 2011-12) and won the National Championship in 2011-12.

Greg Brown was either an Assistant Coach or Associate Head Coach at Boston College throughout Hayes' and Kreider's tenures at the school.

Kevin Hayes and Brady Skjei represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.

Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey were friends while growing up in Massachusetts.

Chris Kreider and Neal Pionk helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.

Chris Kreider and Kevin Shattenkirk represented the United States at the 2011 IIHF World Championship.

Cody McLeod and Kevin Shattenkirk were teammates with the Avalanche for part of the 2010-11 season.

Cody McLeod was coached by David Quinn with the Avalanche during the 2012-13 season (Quinn was an Assistant Coach with Colorado).

Adam McQuaid and Marc Staal were teammates with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for four seasons (2003-04 - 2006-07).

David Oliver held several roles throughout the Avalanche organization for 10 seasons during Cody McLeod's tenure with the team (2007-08 - 2016-17). Oliver was the General Manager of Colorado's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, during McLeod's only season in Lake Erie in 2007-08.

Kevin Shattenkirk was coached by David Quinn on several teams throughout his career before Quinn became the Rangers Head Coach:

Quinn was an Associate Head Coach at Boston University for two seasons while Shattenkirk attended the school (2007-08 and 2008-09), and Boston University won the National Championship in 2008-09.

Quinn was Shattenkirk's first Head Coach in professional hockey, as he coached Shattenkirk for parts of two seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11) with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL).

David Oliver served as the Avalanche's Director of Player Development for two seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11) while Kevin Shattenkirk was in the organization. Shattenkirk made his professional hockey debut in 2009-10 and his NHL debut with Colorado in 2010-11.

Kevin Shattenkirk and Brendan Smith were both selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (Shattenkirk - 14th overall by Colorado; Smith - 27th overall by Detroit).

Kevin Shattenkirk is a native of New Rochelle, New York. He was a Rangers fan growing up, and his favorite player was Brian Leetch.

Kevin Shattenkirk was coached by Rangers TV/Radio Analyst Dave Maloney when he was in high school.

Brady Skjei was coached by David Quinn at the 2016 IIHF World Championship (Quinn was an Assistant Coach with Team USA).

Brady Skjei was coached by Greg Brown at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship (Brown was an Assistant Coach with Team USA).

Lias Andersson's uncle, Mikael Andersson, was teammates with Lindy Ruff as members of the Buffalo Sabres (1985-86 - 1988-89).

Lias Andersson's father, Niklas Andersson, was teammates with Henrik Lundqvist as members of Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for four seasons (2001-02 - 2004-05).

Ryan Strome and Mika Zibanejad were selected with back-to-back picks in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (Strome - fifth overall by the NY Islanders; Zibanejad - sixth overall by Ottawa). Vladislav Namestnikov was also selected in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

YOUTH SERVED

Only eight NHL players who are in their first or second NHL season have recorded 12 or more points this season, and the Rangers are the only team that has two of those players (Brett Howden and Neal Pionk). Pionk leads all NHL defensemen who are in their first or second NHL season in points in 2018-19 (13). Rangers rookies Filip Chytil and Brett Howdenhave recorded seven points (five goals, two assists) over the last four games; Chytil has tallied a goal/point in all four games and Howden has notched a point in three of the four contests.

HOME SWEET HOME

The Rangers enter the contest with a six-game winning streak at home (dating back to Oct. 23 vs. Florida). The Blueshirts have outscored opponents, 21-10, over the six-game winning streak at MSG. The Rangers have earned a win in seven of their last eight home games (7-1-0 record) and in eight of their last 10 home games (8-2-0 record). The Rangers' six-game home winning streak is the longest in the NHL this season, and the Blueshirts are also tied for first in the NHL in wins at home in 2018-19 (eight).

RESILIENT RANGERS

The Blueshirts have posted a 6-4-0 record when allowing the first goal of the game this season. The Rangers have outscored opponents, 22-14, in game situations when trailing in 2018-19.

ONE AND WON

Four of the Rangers' last six games, seven of their last 11 games, and 12 of the team's 21 games this season have been decided by one goal. The Blueshirts have posted a 7-3-2 record in one-goal games this season and are tied for the NHL lead in wins in one-goal games in 2018-19.

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist earned his 438th career NHL win on Nov. 17 vs. Florida, passing Jacques Plante for sole possession of seventh place on the league's all-time wins list. He has been selected as one of the game's Three Stars in eight of his 17 appearances this season, and he has posted a SV% of .900 or better in 14 of 17 appearances in 2018-19.

ALEXANDAR THE GREAT

Alexandar Georgiev has earned a win in each of his last three starts, and he has posted a 2.53 GAA and a .925 SV% in the three starts. In addition, Georgiev has made at least 30 saves in 10 of 15 career NHL appearances, including three of his five appearances in 2018-19.

CHYTIL-MANIA

Filip Chytil enters the contest with a four-game goal/point streak (four goals over the span). Chytil is the first teenager who has posted a four-game goal streak for the Rangers in franchise history. In addition, his four-game goal streak is the longest any Ranger has posted this season, and his four-game point streak is tied for the longest any Ranger has posted in 2018-19. Among NHL players who are either in their age 18 or age 19 season in 2018-19, Chytil is tied for first in games played (21) and is tied for third in goals (four).

KREID-ING HIGH

Chris Kreider has tallied a point in four of the last five games (four goals, three assists), and he has registered five points (three goals, two assists) over the last three games. During the Rangers' 8-1-1 stretch since Oct. 30, Kreider has recorded 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in the 10 games and is tied for fifth in the NHL in goals over the span. He leads the Rangers in goals (11) and points (18) this season.

REAL DEAL NEAL

Since he was recalled by the Rangers last season (Feb. 9, 2018), Neal Pionk is tied for 24th among NHL defensemen (min. 40 games played) in points per game (0.57). Pionk has tallied an assist/point in three of the last four games (four assists), and all four assists over the span have been power play assists. He is tied for second among NHL defensemen in power play assists (nine) and power play points (10), ranks fourth among NHL defensemen in primary assists (eight), and is tied for 13th among NHL defensemen in points (13) this season.

HOW DO YOU DO

Brett Howden is tied for second among NHL rookies in points (12) and is tied for third among NHL rookies in assists (eight) this season. He has recorded a point in 11 of 20 games he has played in 2018-19, and he is tied for first among NHL rookies in games with at least one point this season (tied with Elias Pettersson).

MIKA MAGIC

Mika Zibanejad has recorded a point in six of the last eight games (two goals, five assists) and has registered 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in the last 17 games.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

The Rangers were 0-for-2 (2:14) on Nov. 19 vs. Dallas.

The Blueshirts have tallied a power play goal in three of the last four games (4-for-14; 28.6%) and in four of the last six games (6-for-20; 30.0%).

Penalty Kill:

The Rangers were 3-for-4 (5:46) on Nov. 19 vs. Dallas.

The Rangers rank 10th in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency at home this season (84.6%; 33-for-39).

The Blueshirts are tied for seventh in the NHL in shorthanded goals this season (three).

Nov. 20, 1926 - The Rangers won their first road game in franchise history, defeating the Toronto St. Patricks, 5-1.

Nov. 21, 1971 - The Rangers established a single-game franchise record by registering 12 goals in a 12-1 win against the California Golden Seals at MSG. Jean Ratelle tallied five points (four goals, one assist), while Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield each registered three points in the contest.

Nov. 21, 1982 - Mark Pavelich registered a hat trick and added an assist, and Mike Rogers tallied three assists as the Rangers defeated the New York Islanders, 7-3, at MSG.

Nov. 21, 1997 - The Rangers played their first game in Raleigh since the Whalers/Hurricanes franchise moved after the 1996-97 season. The Blueshirts defeated the Hurricanes, 4-3, as Alexei Kovalev tallied two goals and Wayne Gretzky registered three points (one goal, two assists).

REMEMBERING 1993-94

Mike Richter posted back-to-back shutouts against the Islanders in Game 1 and Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in 1994 (50 saves over the two games). Richter became the first Rangers goaltender to register a shutout in back-to-back playoff games since Dave Kerr during the Semifinals in 1940 against Boston.

RANGERS VS. ISLANDERS - 1993-94

The Rangers posted a 1-2-2 record in five regular season games against the Islanders in 1993-94. Adam Graves led the Rangers with five goals and 10 points in the season series, and he posted three, three-point games. Mark Messier led the Rangers with seven assists and tallied nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the five contests. On March 5, 1994, the Rangers won their first regular season game at Nassau Coliseum since 1989 by defeating the Islanders, 5-4. Jeff Beukeboom tied the game just past the midway point of the third period, and Sergei Zubov recorded the game-winning goal with 1:03 remaining in regulation.

The Rangers swept the Islanders, four games to none, in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Blueshirts outscored the Islanders, 22-3, in the four contests, and their plus-19 goal differential in the series is tied for the fourth-largest in one playoff series in NHL history. Mike Richter posted a 4-0 record, along with a 0.75 GAA, a .967 SV%, and 2 SO in the four games, and he earned a shutout in back-to-back games in the Rangers' consecutive 6-0 wins in Game 1 and Game 2 of the series. Richter became the first Rangers goaltender to register a shutout in back-to-back playoff games since Dave Kerr during the Semifinals in 1940 against Boston. Brian Leetch registered eight points (two goals, six assists) and a plus-11 rating during the series, while Mark Messier and Alexei Kovalev each tallied four goals and three assists for seven points in the four games

I remember the back to back shutouts and then finding out the last Ranger goalie to do that in the playoffs was Dave Kerr in 1940. When Henrik did that a few years ago I was hopeful, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Russo has the IQ of a Turkey in a rain storm. I stopped listening to him when he started bragging about his money and golf clubs. He got rich off of being comic relief and a moron to an arrogant fat pig. Shame he lost focus that he was just a dumbass sports talk show guy and thought like Mike he was a celebrity.

Islanders and Devils play every game vs. the Rangers like it's a playoff game. Then they lose 3 or 4 in a row after the Rangers game. It's almost like clockwork.